Tuesday, February 13, 2007

This is the Idol list proposed by Entertainment Weekly. What do you think about?

By Michael Slezak1) JASON ''SUNDANCE'' HEAD (last week No. 1)Burly, genial son of '60s hitmaker Roy Head was a bluesy delight delivering ''Stormy Monday'' in Memphis, and consistent strength in EW.com's reader poll is encouraging. Now if we could just do something about that warthog-style facial hair.2) CHRIS SLIGH (last week No. 2)Jack Osbourne clone hooked us from the get-go with his Hasselhoff joke, and his vocal and emotional range on Seal's ''Kiss From a Rose'' proved equally appealing. Probably causing panic at 19 Entertainment HQ, which makes us cheer for him twice as hard.3) TAMI GOSNELL (new this week, pictured right)Brought a soulful magnetism to the Allman Brothers' ''Whipping Post'' and evoked memories of the great Janis Joplin. Still, the Colorado pedi-cab driver could face an uphill climb in the competition, given her makeup-free, slightly androgynous exterior.4) EBONY JOINTER (new this week, pictured left)Auditioned with two gal pals — all of them wearing car-hop uniforms — but this leggy lass didn't really need a gimmick, not with a schlock-free ''I Believe in You and Me'' that would've left even Whitney Houston shouting ''Hell to the yeah!''5) BAYLIE BROWN (new this week)''Commercial with a capital C'' was how Simon Cowell described this Denise Richards look-alike after her powerful, controlled rendition of Faith Hill's ''Stronger.'' Is it possible this sunny 16-year-old was produced in some kind of government Idol laboratory?6) SANJAYA MALAKAR (last week No. 4)Younger half of a potent brother-sister combo tackled Stevie Wonder without sacrificing melody for melisma, and despite having had no airtime since Jan. 17, he remains a force in EW.com's reader poll. With the help of a stylist, there's no telling how far he'll go.7) PORCELANA PATINO (last week No. 3)Okay, so she shares a name with a face cream and snagged only 1 percent of votes in our latest reader poll, but I'm defiantly keeping her in the top 10 anyway. C'mon, people, her rendition of ''Love No Limit'' was the best thing to come out of Queens since Ugly Betty!8) MELINDA DOOLITTLE (last week No. 6)It'd take a Grinch not to root for this 28-year-old backup singer, who fought off a mean case of the nervous shakes before her home-run audition of ''For Once in My Life.'' Still, lack of confidence may not look so cute in front of a live audience.9) JENRY BEJARANO (last week No. 5)What's this? A 16-year-old who looks like Tyson Beckford's far hotter younger cousin? And who delivered an above-average version of Gerald Levert's ''I'd Give Anything to Fall in Love''? Yes, people, God does indeed play favorites.10) LAKISHA JONES (new this week)Perhaps the only thing bigger than this soul sister's voice — no, I'm not setting up for a breast joke, thank you — is her appealingly confident personality. Admit it: You got a little misty when she tearfully embraced her daughter after getting a ticket to Hollywood.11) BRANDON ROGERS (last week No. 7)His smooth, seductive ''Always on My Mind'' was the lone cause for celebration from Idol's lackluster Los Angeles audition episode; is it any wonder Christina Aguilera and Anastacia brought him along for backup support on their respective tours?12) PAUL KIM (new this week)If this big-voiced poolboy loses the breathy affectations that hindered his take on Shai's ''If I Ever Fall in Love,'' he might just get his wish and replace William Hung as the nation's best-known Asian-American Idol — and not a second too soon.13) RACHEL ZEVITA (last week No. 10)Brilliantly neutralized Simon's accusation of musical schizophrenia by pointing out that Idol wannabes need to tackle different themes each week. But while she aced the rock, AC, and opera genres, she desperately needs a tutor in Style 101 — and a tweezer.14) ANTONELLA BARBA (last week No. 8)Untrained half of New York episode's ''Jersey girl'' duo proved to be a surprisingly powerful vocalist with a great sense of rhythm on Deniece Williams' tricky ballad, ''Free,'' but is there enough genuine fire beneath that low-wattage façade?15) SEAN MICHEL (last week No. 17)It takes chutzpah to point out your resemblance to Osama bin Laden, Jesus, and Fidel Castro, and while his audition sounded weak to me, the dude is shockingly popular in our reader polls. Plus, rumors of his elimination for refusing to submit to a makeover in Hollywood week have kept his buzz going.16) SHYAMALI MALAKAR (last week No. 12)Sure, her jazzy take on ''Summertime'' wasn't at Fantasia levels, but at least she did it her way. Not only that, Sanjaya's sister is sassy without being mouthy, and her success would leave Simon regretting that ''nothing unique'' critique. Oh snap!17) GINA GLOCKSEN (new this week)Tattooed rock chick was impressive in Hollywood week during season 5, but didn't make the top 24. And while her season 6 audition of ''Black Velvet'' wasn't as vocally impressive, her flirtation with Simon was cute. This year's Melissa McGhee — but with a personality?18) SARAH KRUEGER (last week No. 9)She's pretty, she's unassuming, and she gave a lovely rendition of ''Somewhere Over the Rainbow'' at her Minneapolis audition. But three weeks after her initial appearance, the buzz on the curly-haired diva is quieter than a dog whistle.19) JIMMY MCNEAL (new this week)His very jaunty version of ''Cupid'' prompted Simon to describe him as ''a little, fun Ruben'' — which isn't the worst comparison in the world. Bonus points for his hilarious exchange with the little girl outside the audition room. Him: ''I'm goin' to Hollywood!'' Her: ''So?''20) NICHOLAS PEDRO (last week No. 14)Yet another chap who had Paula salivating like one of Pavlov's dogs, but his ''Fly Me to the Moon'' proved he's more than a handsome face. Still, after botching his lyrics and bailing during season 5's Hollywood round, his guts remain a question mark.